Often called the Siberian hermit; rarely leaves remote town of Surgut. Avoids public attention and the trappings of wealth. A professional driller, he was appointed chief executive of Surgutneftegas at 33. In early 1990s privatized the company with his fellow managers. Company announced late last year that it would cut oil production due to lowered demand; in good position though, has accumulated $16 billion in cash, more than any other Russian oil company.